CVE-2023-46228 in zchunk
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
zchunk before 1.3.2 has multiple integer overflows via malformed zchunk files to lib/comp/comp.c, lib/comp/zstd/zstd.c, lib/dl/multipart.c, or lib/header.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-46228 represents a critical security flaw affecting zchunk versions prior to 1.3.2, specifically targeting integer overflow conditions within multiple components of the library. This issue manifests through malformed zchunk files that can trigger buffer overflows and memory corruption when processed by the affected software components. The vulnerability spans across several key modules including lib/comp/comp.c, lib/comp/zstd/zstd.c, lib/dl/multipart.c, and lib/header.c, indicating a systemic weakness in the zchunk library's input validation and memory handling mechanisms. Integer overflows in these contexts can lead to unpredictable program behavior and potential exploitation by malicious actors who craft specially designed zchunk files to trigger these conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the zchunk library processes malformed input files that contain oversized or improperly formatted integer values. These integer overflows can cause memory allocation routines to allocate insufficient buffer space or trigger arithmetic overflow conditions that result in memory corruption. The affected modules handle different aspects of zchunk processing including compression/decompression operations, multipart download handling, and header parsing, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered during various stages of zchunk file processing. When these overflows occur, they can lead to stack corruption, heap corruption, or other memory-related issues that may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-46228 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as integer overflows can potentially enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Attackers who can influence the creation or delivery of zchunk files may leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code on systems that process these files, particularly in environments where zchunk is used for software distribution, package management, or data compression. The vulnerability's presence in core library components means that any application or system relying on zchunk for processing compressed data could be affected, making it a significant concern for software distribution platforms, package managers, and any system that handles zchunk-formatted content. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities.
Systems and applications utilizing zchunk versions before 1.3.2 should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The most direct and effective solution involves upgrading to zchunk version 1.3.2 or later, which includes patches specifically designed to address the integer overflow conditions in the affected modules. Organizations should also consider implementing input validation measures that can detect and reject malformed zchunk files before they reach the vulnerable processing code. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in zchunk file processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which covers Exploitation for Execution, as the integer overflows can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. Additionally, defensive measures should include network segmentation to limit exposure and regular security assessments to identify systems that may still be running vulnerable versions of the software. Organizations should also review their software supply chain processes to ensure that all zchunk dependencies are updated to secure versions and that proper version control measures are in place to prevent deployment of vulnerable software components.